A potential title decider is in the offing at St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende as Vipers lock horns with Kitara in a clash of first versus second on the table.
Four points separate the two sides and a win for either will be a huge blow to the opponents but which are the key battles that could decide the block burster clash?
Usama Arafat vs Jasper Aheebwa
Few left backs relish a battle with Usama Arafat who has easily settled in at Vipers.
The ex-KCCA winger has scored 8 goals and assisted five times in the league this season and remains one of the most important players at Kitende.
Against Aheebwa, he comes up against a very solid defender, physically imposing and one that loves individual battles.
Aheebwa will be well aware that, at times, the only way to stop Usama is to foul him. Allowing him space to run into is off the table, while full backs who mark him too tightly are often left humbled by a drop of the shoulder and sudden burst of speed.
Enock Ssebagala vs Hussein Ssenoga
The presence of Taddeo Lwanga at the base gives Ssebagala and Karim Watambala to roam towards both boxes and the onus will be on Hussein Ssenoga to stop him.
Both are intelligent and, on their day, very unplayable. This battle could decide who wins the engine room and the result in their team’s favour as well.
Karim Watambala vs Hamis Tibita
What a season Watambala is having. The midfielder has been a revelation this season especially in terms of going forward. He scores freely and if given space, he can hurt the opponents with his fierce shots and defence splitters.
The duty to stop him could be handed to Hamis Tibita who is very intelligent, reads the game well and has the ability to initiate attacks from deep if given time and space on the ball.
Baddy Dasylva vs George Ssenkaaba
Another key battle will see DR Congo import Baddy Dasylva take on George Ssenkaaba who is on fire since the league restart following an Afcon break.
Dasylva is arguably the best defender in the division at the moment and against Ssenkaaba, his game will be tested to the limits.
Milton Karisa vs Benjamin Nyakoojo
Karisa’s character, attitude and work ethic makes him one of the most difficult forwards to shut out in the division.
Since being transformed into a centre forward, Karisa has scored important goals for the club with his runs behind the defenders.
In Nyakoojo, he comes up against a player with similar characteristics.
Physically imposing, takes no-prisoners and a willing worker.
Taddeo Lwanga vs Gaddafi Wahab
Since his return to the premier league, Lwanga has looked decent stopping opponents’ attacks with his clever interception.
On the other hand, Wahab is an intelligent midfielder whose biggest threat is his range of passing and dead balls.
The two are quite experienced and as they have shown consistently, their positional intelligence means they can still decide matches.
